The initial clinical presentation of amitraz and organophosphate poisoning may be similar. Reduce... more The initial clinical presentation of amitraz and organophosphate poisoning may be similar. Reduced serum pseudocholinesterase supports a diagnosis of organophosphate toxicity, but there is no similar laboratory test for amitraz poisoning. A 'mothball-like' odour associated with poisoned patients may have diagnostic potential. In a blinded controlled trial, 83% (95% confidence interval, 63% to 93%) of 23 healthcare workers were able to distinguish between the odours of amitraz and organophosphate. Awareness of this simple component of bedside examination may allow earlier recognition of this potentially fatal poisoning.
When writing a prescription, we are taught to balance the risks and benefits of each drug prescri... more When writing a prescription, we are taught to balance the risks and benefits of each drug prescribed. We think about the risk benefit ratio as if benefits are secured and risks are a shadowy but unlikely eventuality. In fact, benefit is also best thought of as a probability.
South Africa (SA) has the highest incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in the world; it is the leading ... more South Africa (SA) has the highest incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in the world; it is the leading cause of death in SA. TB is a common cause for presentation to Cecilia Makiwane Hospital, a tertiary-level public hospital in the Eastern Cape. Adherence to TB infection prevention control (IPC) measures was sub-optimal. The aim of this quality improvement (QI) project was to make sustainable improvements in TB IPC measures in the medical in-patient department. QI methodology using four consecutive Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles was used. We focused on increasing the numbers of: patients correctly isolated, ‘Airborne Precaution’ signs placed above patients’ beds, and patients wearing surgical face masks. The strategy for change focused on education in different formats, including formal in-service training delivered to nurses and doctors, a hospital-wide TB awareness week with engaging activities and competitions, and a World TB Day provincial solidarity march. Pre-intervention (October 2016),...
Journal of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes of South Africa, 2004
Putting guidelines into the public arena for debate is an excellent idea, and Rheeder and Oosthui... more Putting guidelines into the public arena for debate is an excellent idea, and Rheeder and Oosthuizen should be heartily commended for doing so with their guideline on hyperglycaemic emergencies.
Intravenous fluids are an essential component of patient care, but a 2013 National Institute for ... more Intravenous fluids are an essential component of patient care, but a 2013 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline noted that inappropriate prescribing or administration may lead to actual or potential patient harm in up to 20% of patients.1 This project aimed to improve prescribing documentation and communication between nurses and doctors regarding intravenous fluid management. This was done through the introduction of a fluid chart, in combination with teaching on appropriate fluid management. It was initiated within the medical department of Cecelia Makiwane Hospital in East London, South Africa. 309 patients were included and data were analysed over a 6-month period. The outcome measures were the standards of intravenous fluid prescribing set by the NICE guidelines. The process measure was the use of the new chart. Baseline data highlighted that there was no standardised location for fluid prescriptions within the bedside notes. Following the intervent...
This quality improvement (QI) work was carried out in Cecilia Makiwane Hospital (CMH), a regional... more This quality improvement (QI) work was carried out in Cecilia Makiwane Hospital (CMH), a regional public hospital in the Eastern Cape, South Africa (SA). SA has among the highest incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in the world and this is a leading cause of death in SA. Nosocomial infection is an important source of TB transmission. Adherence to TB infection prevention control (IPC) measures in the medical inpatient department was suboptimal at CMH. The overall aim of this QI project was to make sustainable improvements in TB IPC. A multidisciplinary team was formed to undertake a root cause analysis and develop a strategy for change. The main barriers to adherence to IPC measures were limited knowledge of IPC methods and stigma associated with TB. Specifically, the project aimed to increase the number of: ‘airborne precaution’ signs placed above patients’ beds, patients correctly isolated and patients wearing surgical face masks. Four Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles were used. The strategy fo...
HIV is a worldwide health problem with continuing high rates of new infections in many parts of t... more HIV is a worldwide health problem with continuing high rates of new infections in many parts of the world. This lack of progress in decreasing overall incidence rates has sparked innovative HIV testing strategies, including expansion of testing into the emergency department (ED) setting. Emergency departments have been shown to be high-yield testing venues in the United States and other developed world settings. The feasibility of expanding public health HIV services in the ED in limited-resource countries is unclear. We performed a cross-sectional feasibility assessment of a convenience sample of four hospitals in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. We administered three adapted interview tools from a previously field-tested survey instrument at each facility (total of 10 interviews) to gather an overview of the health facility, their HIV counselling and testing services, and their laboratory services. All of the health facilities had access to basic commodities such as water and elect...
AIDS research and human retroviruses, Jan 13, 2018
The aim of the study was to describe the HIV care continuum in emergency department (ED) patients... more The aim of the study was to describe the HIV care continuum in emergency department (ED) patients in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa. This is a cross-sectional, identity-unlinked serosurvey, whereby discarded/excess samples from all patients who had blood drawn during the study period for routine care and sufficient serum remaining were tested for HIV, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus infection; HIV viral load (VL); and presence of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs. We also estimated cross-sectional incidence using the Limiting-Antigen Avidity assay and HIV VL. The study was conducted between September and November 2016 at the Frere Hospital Emergency Department in East London, South Africa. The overall HIV prevalence in our study population was 26.9% [95% confidence interval (CI): 25.0-28.8; n = 2,100]. The highest prevalence was observed among females in the 30-39 years age group [60.3% (95% CI: 53.2-67.1)]. HIV prevalence was significantly higher among females compared w...
South Africa has the largest HIV epidemic in the world, with 19% of the global number of people l... more South Africa has the largest HIV epidemic in the world, with 19% of the global number of people living with HIV, 15% of new infections and 11% of AIDS-related deaths. Even though HIV testing is mandated in all hospital-based facilities in South Africa (SA), it is rarely implemented in the Emergency Department (ED). The ED provides episodic care to large volumes of undifferentiated who present with unplanned injury or illness. Thus, the ED may provide an opportunity to capture patients with undiagnosed HIV infection missed by clinic-based screening programs. In this prospective exploratory study, we implemented the National South African HIV testing guidelines (counselor initiated non-targeted universal screening with rapid point of care testing) for 24-hours a day at Frere Hospital in the Eastern Cape from September 1st to November 30th, 2016. The purpose of our study was to quantify the burden of undiagnosed HIV infection in a South African ED setting. Furthermore, we sought to eva...
Background: The national South African HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) guidelines mandate that ... more Background: The national South African HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) guidelines mandate that voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) should be offered in all healthcare facilities. Emergency departments (EDs) are at the forefront of many healthcare facilities, yet VCT is not routinely implemented in this setting.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study that surveyed patients and healthcare providers at a tertiary care ED in the spring and summer of 2016 to ascertain their attitudes to VCT in the ED. We also used two previously validated survey instruments to gather data on patients’ HIV knowledge and providers’ stigma against patients living with HIV, as we anticipated that these may have an impact on providers’ and patients’ attitudes to the provision of HIV testing within the ED, and may offer insights for future intervention development.Results: A total of 104 patients and 26 providers were enrolled in the study. Overall, patients responded more favourably to ED-based HI...
South African Medical Journal Suid Afrikaanse Tydskrif Vir Geneeskunde, Nov 1, 1997
To determine the probable effect of increasing clinical frugality on health system expenditure by... more To determine the probable effect of increasing clinical frugality on health system expenditure by measuring cost distribution and waste at an individual patient level. Retrospective cost analysis evaluating the distribution of variable costs (i.e. costs excluding salaries and other fixed expenses) and wastage (i.e. expenditure without adequate clinical gain). A peri-urban regional referral (level 2) hospital and two district hospitals. 500 folders (350 inpatient and 150 outpatient). Accommodation costs accounted for the largest proportion of overall admission costs (42.3%), followed by drugs (19.5%), intravenous fluids (15.4%), laboratory investigations (12.9%) and radiology (10%). Waste accounted for 4.4% (R15.15, SD 41.92) of mean inpatient variable costs of R344.33 (median R208.89, minimum R19.06, maximum R5, 627.25) and this mean admission cost concealed a group of high-cost admissions, with the most expensive 5% accounting for 27.1% of total variable costs and 24.9% of waste. Four concepts important for economical bedside decision-making emerged: 1. Cumulative costs mount rapidly, even if individual items appear cheap. 2. The savings achieved by foregoing the use of an individual item (the variable cost) may be considerably less than the listed total cost to the State of that item (fixed costs are unaffected by reduced short-term utilisation.) 3. More care when ordering investigations and therapy may reduce waste. 4. Global views of hospital costs conceal a group of patients whose care is more expensive than average but who may be difficult to identify prospectively. Although the wastage rate in this group is about the same as the global rate, it may represent a useful target for future study.
Limited data exist on the burden of serious adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in sub-Saharan Africa, ... more Limited data exist on the burden of serious adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in sub-Saharan Africa, which has high HIV and tuberculosis prevalence. We determined the proportion of adult admissions attributable to ADRs at 4 hospitals in South Africa. We characterized drugs implicated in, risk factors for, and the preventability of ADR-related admissions.We prospectively followed patients admitted to 4 hospitals' medical wards over sequential 30-day periods in 2013 and identified suspected ADRs with the aid of a trigger tool. A multidisciplinary team performed causality, preventability, and severity assessment using published criteria. We categorized an admission as ADR-related if the ADR was the primary reason for admission.There were 1951 admissions involving 1904 patients: median age was 50 years (interquartile range 34-65), 1057 of 1904 (56%) were female, 559 of 1904 (29%) were HIV-infected, and 183 of 1904 (10%) were on antituberculosis therapy (ATT). There were 164 of 1951 (8.4...
The initial clinical presentation of amitraz and organophosphate poisoning may be similar. Reduce... more The initial clinical presentation of amitraz and organophosphate poisoning may be similar. Reduced serum pseudocholinesterase supports a diagnosis of organophosphate toxicity, but there is no similar laboratory test for amitraz poisoning. A 'mothball-like' odour associated with poisoned patients may have diagnostic potential. In a blinded controlled trial, 83% (95% confidence interval, 63% to 93%) of 23 healthcare workers were able to distinguish between the odours of amitraz and organophosphate. Awareness of this simple component of bedside examination may allow earlier recognition of this potentially fatal poisoning.
When writing a prescription, we are taught to balance the risks and benefits of each drug prescri... more When writing a prescription, we are taught to balance the risks and benefits of each drug prescribed. We think about the risk benefit ratio as if benefits are secured and risks are a shadowy but unlikely eventuality. In fact, benefit is also best thought of as a probability.
South Africa (SA) has the highest incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in the world; it is the leading ... more South Africa (SA) has the highest incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in the world; it is the leading cause of death in SA. TB is a common cause for presentation to Cecilia Makiwane Hospital, a tertiary-level public hospital in the Eastern Cape. Adherence to TB infection prevention control (IPC) measures was sub-optimal. The aim of this quality improvement (QI) project was to make sustainable improvements in TB IPC measures in the medical in-patient department. QI methodology using four consecutive Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles was used. We focused on increasing the numbers of: patients correctly isolated, ‘Airborne Precaution’ signs placed above patients’ beds, and patients wearing surgical face masks. The strategy for change focused on education in different formats, including formal in-service training delivered to nurses and doctors, a hospital-wide TB awareness week with engaging activities and competitions, and a World TB Day provincial solidarity march. Pre-intervention (October 2016),...
Journal of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes of South Africa, 2004
Putting guidelines into the public arena for debate is an excellent idea, and Rheeder and Oosthui... more Putting guidelines into the public arena for debate is an excellent idea, and Rheeder and Oosthuizen should be heartily commended for doing so with their guideline on hyperglycaemic emergencies.
Intravenous fluids are an essential component of patient care, but a 2013 National Institute for ... more Intravenous fluids are an essential component of patient care, but a 2013 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline noted that inappropriate prescribing or administration may lead to actual or potential patient harm in up to 20% of patients.1 This project aimed to improve prescribing documentation and communication between nurses and doctors regarding intravenous fluid management. This was done through the introduction of a fluid chart, in combination with teaching on appropriate fluid management. It was initiated within the medical department of Cecelia Makiwane Hospital in East London, South Africa. 309 patients were included and data were analysed over a 6-month period. The outcome measures were the standards of intravenous fluid prescribing set by the NICE guidelines. The process measure was the use of the new chart. Baseline data highlighted that there was no standardised location for fluid prescriptions within the bedside notes. Following the intervent...
This quality improvement (QI) work was carried out in Cecilia Makiwane Hospital (CMH), a regional... more This quality improvement (QI) work was carried out in Cecilia Makiwane Hospital (CMH), a regional public hospital in the Eastern Cape, South Africa (SA). SA has among the highest incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in the world and this is a leading cause of death in SA. Nosocomial infection is an important source of TB transmission. Adherence to TB infection prevention control (IPC) measures in the medical inpatient department was suboptimal at CMH. The overall aim of this QI project was to make sustainable improvements in TB IPC. A multidisciplinary team was formed to undertake a root cause analysis and develop a strategy for change. The main barriers to adherence to IPC measures were limited knowledge of IPC methods and stigma associated with TB. Specifically, the project aimed to increase the number of: ‘airborne precaution’ signs placed above patients’ beds, patients correctly isolated and patients wearing surgical face masks. Four Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles were used. The strategy fo...
HIV is a worldwide health problem with continuing high rates of new infections in many parts of t... more HIV is a worldwide health problem with continuing high rates of new infections in many parts of the world. This lack of progress in decreasing overall incidence rates has sparked innovative HIV testing strategies, including expansion of testing into the emergency department (ED) setting. Emergency departments have been shown to be high-yield testing venues in the United States and other developed world settings. The feasibility of expanding public health HIV services in the ED in limited-resource countries is unclear. We performed a cross-sectional feasibility assessment of a convenience sample of four hospitals in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. We administered three adapted interview tools from a previously field-tested survey instrument at each facility (total of 10 interviews) to gather an overview of the health facility, their HIV counselling and testing services, and their laboratory services. All of the health facilities had access to basic commodities such as water and elect...
AIDS research and human retroviruses, Jan 13, 2018
The aim of the study was to describe the HIV care continuum in emergency department (ED) patients... more The aim of the study was to describe the HIV care continuum in emergency department (ED) patients in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa. This is a cross-sectional, identity-unlinked serosurvey, whereby discarded/excess samples from all patients who had blood drawn during the study period for routine care and sufficient serum remaining were tested for HIV, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus infection; HIV viral load (VL); and presence of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs. We also estimated cross-sectional incidence using the Limiting-Antigen Avidity assay and HIV VL. The study was conducted between September and November 2016 at the Frere Hospital Emergency Department in East London, South Africa. The overall HIV prevalence in our study population was 26.9% [95% confidence interval (CI): 25.0-28.8; n = 2,100]. The highest prevalence was observed among females in the 30-39 years age group [60.3% (95% CI: 53.2-67.1)]. HIV prevalence was significantly higher among females compared w...
South Africa has the largest HIV epidemic in the world, with 19% of the global number of people l... more South Africa has the largest HIV epidemic in the world, with 19% of the global number of people living with HIV, 15% of new infections and 11% of AIDS-related deaths. Even though HIV testing is mandated in all hospital-based facilities in South Africa (SA), it is rarely implemented in the Emergency Department (ED). The ED provides episodic care to large volumes of undifferentiated who present with unplanned injury or illness. Thus, the ED may provide an opportunity to capture patients with undiagnosed HIV infection missed by clinic-based screening programs. In this prospective exploratory study, we implemented the National South African HIV testing guidelines (counselor initiated non-targeted universal screening with rapid point of care testing) for 24-hours a day at Frere Hospital in the Eastern Cape from September 1st to November 30th, 2016. The purpose of our study was to quantify the burden of undiagnosed HIV infection in a South African ED setting. Furthermore, we sought to eva...
Background: The national South African HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) guidelines mandate that ... more Background: The national South African HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) guidelines mandate that voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) should be offered in all healthcare facilities. Emergency departments (EDs) are at the forefront of many healthcare facilities, yet VCT is not routinely implemented in this setting.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study that surveyed patients and healthcare providers at a tertiary care ED in the spring and summer of 2016 to ascertain their attitudes to VCT in the ED. We also used two previously validated survey instruments to gather data on patients’ HIV knowledge and providers’ stigma against patients living with HIV, as we anticipated that these may have an impact on providers’ and patients’ attitudes to the provision of HIV testing within the ED, and may offer insights for future intervention development.Results: A total of 104 patients and 26 providers were enrolled in the study. Overall, patients responded more favourably to ED-based HI...
South African Medical Journal Suid Afrikaanse Tydskrif Vir Geneeskunde, Nov 1, 1997
To determine the probable effect of increasing clinical frugality on health system expenditure by... more To determine the probable effect of increasing clinical frugality on health system expenditure by measuring cost distribution and waste at an individual patient level. Retrospective cost analysis evaluating the distribution of variable costs (i.e. costs excluding salaries and other fixed expenses) and wastage (i.e. expenditure without adequate clinical gain). A peri-urban regional referral (level 2) hospital and two district hospitals. 500 folders (350 inpatient and 150 outpatient). Accommodation costs accounted for the largest proportion of overall admission costs (42.3%), followed by drugs (19.5%), intravenous fluids (15.4%), laboratory investigations (12.9%) and radiology (10%). Waste accounted for 4.4% (R15.15, SD 41.92) of mean inpatient variable costs of R344.33 (median R208.89, minimum R19.06, maximum R5, 627.25) and this mean admission cost concealed a group of high-cost admissions, with the most expensive 5% accounting for 27.1% of total variable costs and 24.9% of waste. Four concepts important for economical bedside decision-making emerged: 1. Cumulative costs mount rapidly, even if individual items appear cheap. 2. The savings achieved by foregoing the use of an individual item (the variable cost) may be considerably less than the listed total cost to the State of that item (fixed costs are unaffected by reduced short-term utilisation.) 3. More care when ordering investigations and therapy may reduce waste. 4. Global views of hospital costs conceal a group of patients whose care is more expensive than average but who may be difficult to identify prospectively. Although the wastage rate in this group is about the same as the global rate, it may represent a useful target for future study.
Limited data exist on the burden of serious adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in sub-Saharan Africa, ... more Limited data exist on the burden of serious adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in sub-Saharan Africa, which has high HIV and tuberculosis prevalence. We determined the proportion of adult admissions attributable to ADRs at 4 hospitals in South Africa. We characterized drugs implicated in, risk factors for, and the preventability of ADR-related admissions.We prospectively followed patients admitted to 4 hospitals' medical wards over sequential 30-day periods in 2013 and identified suspected ADRs with the aid of a trigger tool. A multidisciplinary team performed causality, preventability, and severity assessment using published criteria. We categorized an admission as ADR-related if the ADR was the primary reason for admission.There were 1951 admissions involving 1904 patients: median age was 50 years (interquartile range 34-65), 1057 of 1904 (56%) were female, 559 of 1904 (29%) were HIV-infected, and 183 of 1904 (10%) were on antituberculosis therapy (ATT). There were 164 of 1951 (8.4...
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Papers by Andy Parrish